Dubai resident is first Lebanese woman to scale Everest

After never happening before in history, two Lebanese women reach peak in two days

Dubai resident Fatima Deryan, pictured in training to climb Everest. Anna Nielsen.

Ras Al Khaimah is home to highly energy-intensive industries, including one of the world’s largest ceramic tile manufacturing facilities. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

Fatima Deryan is hoping her latest mountain challenge will inspire women to set their sights even higher. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

11.01.19 Dubai resident Fatima Deryan spending her Friday climbing the highest peak of the UAE; Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Fatima is training to climb Everest in March. Anna Nielsen For The National

A Dubai resident has become the first Lebanese woman to scale the world’s tallest mountain.

Fatima Deryan unfurled her country’s flag at the peak of Mount Everest, meaning she has reached the summit of the tallest mountains in six of the world’s seven continents.

She made it to the top of Everest at 9.08am on Wednesday, she announced on social media.

She completed the challenge in a season in which 10 people have already died on the mountain, with some of the deaths blamed on overcrowding.

“My dream became a reality,” Ms Deryan wrote on Instagram, alongside her photo at the peak.

“I made it to the highest point in the world - Mount Everest - that stands at 8,848m.

“I thought summiting was a major bonus of my expedition but it turned out that I made it as the 1st Lebanese Woman! Unplanned, unexpected, it was the cherry on top of my journey!”

The 26-year-old has previously spoken to The National of her desire to prove "nothing is off limits" for women in the Middle East, and she now only has Vinson Massif in Antarctica left to conquer in her quest to climb to the highest point in every continent, an achievement known as the Explorers Grand Slam.

A week ago, Ms Deryan wrote that she was “excited yet so anxious” to be setting off on the final leg of the climb.

“My Love and Passion to mountain climbing have doubled this trip, its beautiful how much nature can humble & ground us as humans,” she wrote.

“All aside, I cannot wait to go back home and see my main support, my family!”

The perils of climbing the world's tallest mountain have never been more apparent.

A narrow window of opportunity described by mountaineers as 'the death zone', in which climbers can make a charge for the summit, is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Queues of climbers await their turn along a narrow ridge, exposing themselves to an increased risk of dehydration and exhaustion in extreme conditions.

Over the weekend, the mountain claimed the lives of Briton Robin Fisher, who collapsed 150 metres into his descent, and an Irish climber.

Officials in Nepal also confirmed the deaths of three Indians, named as Anjali Sharad Kulkarni, 54, Kalpana Das, 49, and Nihal Ashpak Bagwan, 27.

Joyce Azzam, another Lebanese climber, successfully reached the top of Everest on Thursday, becoming the first Lebanese woman to complete the grand slam.

Saad Hariri, the Lebanese Prime Minister, congratulated Ms Azzam over a live video call.

Queues near the summit of Everest come as record numbers make the ascent, and have led to calls for Nepal to limit the number of climbing permits it issues.

The country has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for the current spring climbing season, bringing in much-needed revenue for the impoverished Himalayan country.